Founding Director, Biotechnology Program

Dr. Jack Gregory Chirikjian, the founding director of Georgetown’s Masters in Biotechnology Program, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Washington, DC. on September 30th. 2018. shortly before his 78th birthday.

Born in Cairo, Egypt to Armenian parents in 1940, he emigrated to The United Slates in 1959 where he achieved the quintessential American Dream and was a proud patriot to his adoptive country. Dr. C, as so many lovingly called him, was a Professor of Biochemistry at Georgetown University for 46 years where he touched the lives of countless students and won numerous awards. His capstone achievement was the establishment of the Masters in Biotechnology Program. He was also a successful entrepreneur and founded no less than seven biotechnology companies spanning education and research. Jack was a dedicated researcher and owned numerous patents throughout his career. 

Below is a brief timeline of notable moments in Jack’s life, as we celebrate and honor his legacy and achievements:

1959 – 1972

Name changed to Jack G. Chirikjian (after Jack Kennedy) at immigration border. Educational journey in the US begins

Immigrates to US in December 1959

Attends Trenton State College on Scholarship

Dr. C. Earns His PhD in Biochemistry from Rutgers in 1969; Starts PostDoc at Princeton

1975

Serial entrepreneur journey begins:

Establishes The Bethesda Research Laboratory (BRL), Inc.; Predecessor to Life Technologies, Inc. in 1975

Founds Oncor (Oncology Corporation) in 1983; Develops Early BRAC1/BRAC2 Diagnostics

For a total of 7 companies: Bethesda Research Laboratory (BRL), Inc., ONCOR, Capitol Biotek Consulting, EdvoTek, TreviGen, DNA Depot, Amelia Technologies

1997

Founded MS in Biochemistry, one of the first master’s in the field.

Inaugural class consisted of seven students.

2017

Biotechnology Program Celebrated 20 years of “Making Science Our Business.”